Hamilton County public records include arrest logs, booking reports, inmate rosters, mugshots, court case files, marriage licenses, deeds, and criminal history data kept by the local Clerk of Court, the Sheriff’s Office, and state agencies in Florida. Anyone can request these records under Florida’s Chapter 119 public records law without paying a fee for the first 30 minutes of staff search time and without giving a reason for the request.
This page covers where each type of record lives, how to search it online, and what to do when a request gets denied or delayed.
Which Hamilton County Public Records You Need
Nine counties in the United States carry the name Hamilton. The largest ones sit in Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, and Florida. Search results on Google change based on your location and the keywords you type, but the arrest and booking keywords almost always point to the Florida Panhandle county with the county seat in Jasper. The details below target Hamilton County, Florida. The same process applies to other Hamilton Counties through that state’s clerk and sheriff offices.
Hamilton County, Florida covers about 514 square miles in North Florida. The population sits near 14,000 people. Jasper, the county seat, sits along U.S. Highway 129. The county falls under the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Columbia, Dixie, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. Neighboring Georgia counties include Echols and Lowndes, where cross-state arrests sometimes show up in the local booking log.
Florida Public Records Law and Chapter 119
Florida’s public records law sits in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The law says all government records are open for personal inspection and copying. No one has to give a name, show ID, or explain why they want a record. Government agencies must respond in a reasonable amount of time. A reasonable time in a small county like Hamilton means days, not weeks or months.
Your Rights as a Records Requester
You have the right to inspect any record that does not fall under a statutory exemption. You have the right to ask for copies in paper or electronic format. You have the right to ask for certified copies for use in court. You do not have to pay for the first 30 minutes of staff time spent pulling the record. After 30 minutes, the agency can charge a reasonable hourly fee. The first hour of duplication on a standard-sized record stays free in many cases.
You do not need a lawyer to make a request. You do not need to file a form. A simple written or verbal request works in most cases. You can name the record, the date range, and the people involved. The agency uses those details to pull the file. If the request is too broad, the agency can ask for clarification. If the agency denies the request, they must cite the specific exemption that allows the denial.
Records That Stay Closed
Most arrest and booking records stay open, but some carry legal exemptions. Juvenile arrest records stay sealed by Florida law. Records under court-ordered seal or expungement stay closed. Mental health commitment records carry their own rules. Active criminal investigation files can be held back during an investigation. Sex offender registry data stays public by federal law, but the photos and addresses come from a different state database, not the local clerk.
Some law enforcement records get redacted before release. Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and bank account numbers get blacked out. Medical details from an arrest report get pulled out under HIPAA. Home addresses of certain protected persons (judges, police, domestic violence victims) get removed. The agency keeps the original on file and gives you a redacted version.
What to Do If a Request Gets Denied
If a request is denied or stalls, the Florida Attorney General runs a free mediation program. Call (850) 245-0140 to start. The First Amendment Foundation also gives free advice to anyone facing a records dispute in Florida. Their website at floridafaf.org lists sample request letters and contact details for every clerk’s office in the state. You can also file a civil lawsuit under Chapter 119 to force the agency to release the record. Courts in Florida side with the requester in most cases when the agency cannot show a clear exemption.
Hamilton County Clerk and Comptroller Office
The Hamilton County Clerk and Comptroller serves as the main record keeper for court and official records. The current clerk is W. Greg Godwin. His office stores court case files, marriage licenses, deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, releases, and county financial records. The office sits at 207 NE First Street, Suite 106, Jasper, FL 32052. The main phone line is (386) 792-1288. The official website is hamiltonclerk.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on state and federal holidays.
| Office | Hamilton County Clerk and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Clerk | W. Greg Godwin |
| Address | 207 NE First St, Suite 106, Jasper, FL 32052 |
| Phone | (386) 792-1288 |
| Website | hamiltonclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
What Records the Clerk Keeps
The clerk’s office keeps the official court docket for every case filed in Hamilton County. That includes criminal cases, civil cases, family law cases, probate cases, traffic cases, and small claims. The clerk also records official documents that affect real property. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, releases of lien, and tax warrants all sit in the clerk’s official records index. Marriage licenses issued in Hamilton County stay in the clerk’s file. Divorce decrees filed in Hamilton County also sit with the clerk.
Online Search Tools on the Clerk’s Website
The clerk’s online portal lets you search official records by name, document type, and date range. Court records have a separate search page linked from the main site. Marriage license search and recording search both run through the same portal. You do not need an account to search. You only need an account if you want to save searches or get email alerts for new filings under a specific name.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office handles arrests, bookings, and inmate custody for the unincorporated parts of the county. Sheriff’s deputies also serve papers, run patrol, and handle court security. The current Sheriff is Harrell R. Reid. The Sheriff’s Office sits at 207 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052, the same block as the clerk’s office. The main phone line is (386) 792-1002. The jail phone line is (386) 792-1474. The official website is hamiltonso.com. The front desk and dispatch run 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Sheriff’s Office Contact Details
| Agency | Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Harrell R. Reid |
| Address | 207 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052 |
| Phone | (386) 792-1002 |
| Jail Phone | (386) 792-1474 |
| Website | hamiltonso.com |
| Non-Emergency Dispatch | 911 for emergencies, (386) 792-1002 for non-emergency |
Arrest Records and How They Work
Arrest records show the name of the person arrested, the date, the time, the location, the offense, the booking number, and the arresting officer. Some arrest records list the arresting agency. Records of arrests that ended in release without charges still count as arrest records and stay open. Records of arrests that ended in dropped charges or not guilty verdicts also stay open under Florida law. The arrest itself stays on the record, no matter what happened in court later.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office works with the Jasper Police Department on arrests inside the city limits of Jasper. Both agencies report arrest data to the county records system, but each office keeps its own case files for the first few days after booking. After that, the clerk’s office takes over the court file and the sheriff’s office keeps the arrest report and booking photo.
How to Search Hamilton County Arrest Records
Three main sources work for online arrest record searches in Hamilton County. The first is the sheriff’s office website. Some Florida sheriff sites post a daily booking log or recent arrest list. The second is the county jail inmate roster. The third is a third-party search service that pulls data from multiple Florida counties into one report. All three run on the same public data feed that the sheriff’s office puts out after every booking.
Searching by Name
To search by name on the sheriff’s site, open hamiltonso.com and look for the “Arrests” or “Jail” tab. Type the last name first, then the first name. Filter by date range if you have one. Results show the booking photo, full name, age, charges, bond amount, and booking date. The site updates within 24 to 48 hours of booking in most Florida counties. Records from the past 7 days sit on the main page. Older records sit in the archive section by month.
For a statewide search by name, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a paid criminal history search. The fee is $24 per search. The search covers arrests across all Florida counties and stays in the FDLE database. People who need a full Florida background check for a job or license use this tool most often.
Recent Arrests and Booking Logs
Recent arrest logs in Hamilton County cover the past 7 to 30 days. The sheriff’s office posts a daily log on the website that shows every arrest made in the past 24 hours. The log shows the arrest date, the arrest time, the charge, and the inmate’s name. The booking number ties the log entry to the full arrest report in the sheriff’s records system. Older arrest records move into a separate archive that the clerk’s office keeps. To get records older than 30 days, you need to file a written request with the sheriff’s office or check the clerk’s case portal for court records tied to the arrest.
Daily Arrest Log Details
The daily arrest log shows basic booking data only. It does not show the full arrest report. The full arrest report includes the narrative written by the arresting officer, the witness list, the evidence list, and any statements made at the scene. To get the full arrest report, you need to file a written request with the sheriff’s records unit. The records unit charges a small copy fee for the full report. Most full arrest reports run 5 to 25 pages.
Booking Records and the Intake Process
Booking records sit at the heart of the arrest data you can get online. A booking record covers the moment a person enters the jail. It includes the booking number, full legal name, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, hair color, eye color, address on file, arresting officer, arresting agency, charges at booking, bond amount, court date, and a photo taken at intake. The booking number stays the same across the arrest report, the court file, and the jail roster.
What a Booking Record Shows
Booking records also show fingerprint data, palm print data, and a mugshot taken at the intake desk. The fingerprint data stays in the statewide AFIS system, not the public file. The mugshot gets posted on the jail roster within hours. Personal property taken at booking (wallet, belt, shoes, jewelry) gets logged on the property sheet, which becomes part of the booking record. Medical screening notes also sit in the booking file but get pulled out under HIPAA before public release.
Booking Number Lookup
Every booking in Hamilton County gets a unique booking number. The number starts with the year, then the booking sequence. For example, booking number 2026-000123 means the 123rd booking of 2026. You can use the booking number to pull up the full record on the clerk’s case search. The booking number also appears on the court docket, the sheriff’s arrest log, and the jail roster. Keep the booking number handy if you need to check on someone in custody or pull records later.
How Long Booking Records Stay Online
Booking records stay on the sheriff’s inmate roster for the entire time the person sits in jail. After release, the booking record moves to the archive section of the sheriff’s website. The archive keeps records for 5 years on the public site. After 5 years, the records move to the clerk’s office for permanent storage under Florida’s records retention schedule. Records of felony arrests stay in the system for 75 years. Records of misdemeanor arrests stay for 5 years after the case closes.
Inmate Search and Current Detentions
The Hamilton County Jail sits at 207 NE First Street in Jasper, next to the sheriff’s office. The jail holds people arrested in the county who are waiting for first appearance, waiting for trial, or serving a misdemeanor sentence. People serving state prison sentences after felony conviction get transferred to a Florida Department of Corrections facility. Inmate search shows who is in custody right now, the charge, the bond, and the projected release date for people serving misdemeanor sentences.
Jail Roster Search
To search the current inmate roster, call the jail at (386) 792-1474 or check the sheriff’s website. The roster updates after every booking and release. Names stay on the roster until the person posts bond, gets released on their own recognizance, transfers to state custody, or finishes their sentence. The roster shows the inmate’s name, booking photo, booking date, charges, bond amount, and next court date. Bond amounts get set by the judge at first appearance, which happens within 24 hours of arrest for most charges.
Bond and Release Details
Bond amounts depend on the charge and the person’s criminal history. A first-time misdemeanor arrest often comes with a $500 to $1,000 bond. A felony charge starts at $5,000 bond for many offenses. Violent felony charges like aggravated battery, robbery, or sexual battery often have no bond allowed under Florida’s pretrial detention rules. You can post bond at the jail 24 hours a day. Bond payment methods include cash, certified check, money order, and most bail bondsman payments.
Transfers to State Prison
People convicted of felonies and sentenced to state prison time get transferred from the Hamilton County Jail to a Florida Department of Corrections reception center. The transfer usually happens within 30 to 90 days of sentencing. Once transferred, the person no longer shows up on the Hamilton County jail roster. To check on someone who moved to state prison, use the Florida Department of Corrections inmate search at dc.state.fl.us. The DOC search shows current location, sentence length, release date, and parole status.
Mugshots and Booking Photos
Booking photos, known as mugshots, stay public under Florida law. The sheriff’s office posts current inmate photos on the inmate roster page. Older mugshots move into the booking log archive. Third-party mugshot sites pull the same photos from public feeds and keep them online for years. Some sites charge a fee to remove the photo, but Florida law does not require a fee for removal under most cases.
Mugshot Removal Under Florida Law
Florida law changed in 2023 to limit mugshot removal services that charge fees. Chapter 901.43 of the Florida Statutes now makes it a deceptive trade practice to charge a fee for removing booking photos that came from public records. People whose mugshots appear online can ask the site to take the photo down for free. Sites that charge a fee face fines from the Florida Attorney General. To qualify for free removal, the case must be closed, the person must not have been convicted of certain listed offenses, and the request must be in writing.
Mugshot Removal Request Process
To remove a mugshot from a website, send a written request to the site that hosts the photo. The request must include your full name, the booking date, the county of arrest, and a statement that the case is closed without a conviction for a disqualifying offense. Keep a copy of the request. If the site does not respond within 30 days, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office. The AG office can fine the site up to $1,000 per day for each photo that stays up after a valid removal request.
Court Records and Case Files
Court records in Hamilton County include civil cases, criminal cases, family law cases, probate cases, traffic cases, and small claims. The clerk’s office runs case searches by name, case number, or citation number. Online case search is free for basic docket sheets. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee. The basic docket shows the case style, the case number, the filing date, the judge, the next hearing date, and the current status.
Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records in Hamilton County start with the arrest. After booking, the State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file charges. Misdemeanor cases go to County Court. Felony cases go to Circuit Court. The clerk’s case search shows both court levels. To get a full arrest report, contact the arresting agency. The clerk’s file only has the charging documents and the court docket. Arrest reports, witness statements, and evidence logs stay with the sheriff’s office or the police department that made the arrest.
Civil and Family Case Records
Civil case records include contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant cases, and small claims under $8,000. Family case records include divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and paternity. Family case records get more redaction than civil or criminal cases. Children’s names get replaced with initials in most family case files. Financial account numbers get redacted in divorce and support cases. The basic docket still shows the case style, the parties, and the hearing dates for family cases.
Warrants and How to Check
Active warrants do not show up on the public court search system. To check for a warrant, call the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at (386) 792-1002 or the Jasper Police Department at (386) 792-1112. Both agencies run warrant checks over the phone during business hours. Warrant data is not on the website for safety reasons. For warrant data statewide, the Florida Crime Information Center runs a paid system used mostly by employers, landlords, and bail bondsmen. The fee for a FCIC check is set by Florida statute and varies by requester type.
How to Request Records by Mail, Phone, or In Person
Three ways work to get Hamilton County public records. You can visit the clerk’s office in person at 207 NE First Street, Jasper. You can call the office at (386) 792-1288. You can send a written request by mail to the same address. No special form is required for any of the three options. Email requests get accepted for some record types but not all, so call first to confirm the office handles email requests for the record you need.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in requests at the clerk’s office get processed the same day for simple lookups. Bring a photo ID. The clerk’s staff can pull court files, marriage records, and official records while you wait. For older records stored off-site, you may need to come back the next business day. The clerk’s office has public computer terminals set up for record searches. Staff can help you run the search if you tell them what you need.
Phone Requests
Phone requests work for basic record checks. Call (386) 792-1288 during business hours. Staff can run a name search and tell you if a record exists. Staff can read the basic docket sheet over the phone. Staff cannot send you copies by phone. You have to come in person, send a written request, or pay for records to be mailed. Phone requests for arrest records work through the sheriff’s records unit at (386) 792-1002.
Mail Requests
A written mail request should include the full name of the person on the record, the date of birth if known, the type of record you want, the date range, and your contact details so the office can reach you with questions or fees. Florida law gives the agency a reasonable time to respond. In a small county, the typical response is 3 to 10 business days. Send the request to the Clerk of Court at 207 NE First Street, Suite 106, Jasper, FL 32052. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of paper copies. Include a check or money order for any copy fees.
Free vs Paid Record Search Options
Free options start with the clerk’s online portal and the sheriff’s inmate roster. Both run on public funds and stay free to use. The state of Florida runs a free search tool at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website for people who want to check criminal history. The FDLE tool costs $24 per search but covers arrests across all Florida counties. The free option works for most single arrest lookups in Hamilton County.
Free Government Sources
Free government sources for Hamilton County records include the clerk’s online portal (hamiltonclerk.com), the sheriff’s inmate roster (hamiltonso.com), the Property Appraiser’s parcel search (hamiltonpa.com), and the Tax Collector’s payment records. The Florida Department of Corrections runs a free inmate search at dc.state.fl.us for anyone in state prison. The Florida Department of Health runs a free birth and death index search for records older than 80 years.
Paid Search Services
Paid search services charge fees for reports that combine arrest data, court data, warrant checks, and address history. The fees range from $1 to $50 per report based on depth. Some sites run subscription plans. For a single arrest record check, the free sheriff’s inmate roster covers most needs. For a full background check, a paid service gives more data in one report. Stick with sites that show their data source on the report page. Avoid sites that charge a fee to remove booking photos, as that practice violates Florida law.
Other Record Sources in Hamilton County
The Hamilton County Property Appraiser holds parcel data, ownership history, assessment values, and tax maps. The office sits at 204 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052. Phone (386) 792-2791. Website hamiltonpa.com. The Tax Collector holds vehicle registration data and property tax payment history. Phone (386) 792-1284. Office hours for both offices run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Property Appraiser Records
The Property Appraiser’s online search shows parcel ID, owner name, property address, land use code, building square footage, year built, last sale date, last sale price, and current assessed value. You can also see a parcel map with the property lines drawn over an aerial photo. The Property Appraiser’s office records sales records going back decades for most parcels. Use the site to check ownership before buying property or to research a parcel for any reason.
Tax Collector Records
The Tax Collector handles property tax bills, vehicle registration, tag renewals, and hunting and fishing licenses. The Tax Collector’s online search shows tax bill status (paid, unpaid, delinquent), tax sale history, and the parcel ID. Vehicle registration searches show make, model, year, VIN (partial), and registration status. Hunting and fishing license records show license type, issue date, and expiration date.
Sex Offender Registry
Sex offender registry data for Hamilton County comes from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s public registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. The site lets you search by name, address, or ZIP code. The registry updates daily. Photos and current addresses stay on the public registry by federal law. People required to register stay on the registry for life in many cases, depending on the offense.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Hamilton County sit with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state office holds records for the past 80 years. The clerk’s office in Hamilton County only holds local marriage licenses and some divorce decrees. For birth and death records, contact the state office directly at (904) 359-6900 or use the Florida Vital Statistics online portal at flhealth.gov. Certified copies of birth and death certificates cost $15 each. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $10.
Hamilton County Office Hours, Phone Numbers, and Addresses
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | 207 NE First St, Suite 106, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-1288 | Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sheriff’s Office | 207 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-1002 | 24 hours |
| Jail | 207 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-1474 | 24 hours |
| Property Appraiser | 204 NE First Street, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-2791 | Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tax Collector | 207 NE First St, Suite 108, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-1284 | Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Jasper Police Department | 208 NW 2nd Avenue, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-1112 | 24 hours |
Office websites for the most-used record sources:
- Hamilton County Clerk of Court: hamiltonclerk.com
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office: hamiltonso.com
- Hamilton County Property Appraiser: hamiltonpa.com
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement: fdle.state.fl.us
- Florida Department of Corrections: dc.state.fl.us
- Florida Department of Health: flhealth.gov
- Florida Sex Offender Registry: offender.fdle.state.fl.us
Office Location Map
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if someone is in jail in Hamilton County right now?
Call the Hamilton County Jail at (386) 792-1474 or check the inmate roster on the sheriff’s website. The roster shows the current inmate’s name, charges, bond, and booking date. The roster updates within minutes of a new booking. For names that just came in, call the jail front desk for the freshest data. The front desk runs 24 hours, so you can check at any time of day or night. The roster also shows the projected release date for people serving misdemeanor sentences who have a set release date set by the court.
Are Hamilton County arrest records free to view?
Yes. The sheriff’s office and the clerk’s office both let you view arrest and booking data for free. The clerk’s online case search is free. The sheriff’s inmate roster is free. Paper copies and certified copies have fees. Third-party search sites may charge fees for reports that pull data from multiple sources, but the data itself comes from public records. The free sources cover most needs for a single arrest lookup. For a multi-county background check, a paid statewide FDLE search costs $24 and covers all Florida counties.
Can I get a mugshot taken down from a website?
Florida law under Chapter 901.43 makes it illegal for a website to charge a fee to remove a mugshot that came from public records. You can send a free removal request to the site. Sites that fail to remove the photo after a valid request face state fines. For a request to work, you must show the photo is yours, that the case is closed, and that the case did not end with a conviction for certain listed offenses. Keep a copy of your request. If the site does not respond within 30 days, file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
How long does it take to get arrest records by mail?
Mail requests in Hamilton County take 5 to 15 business days based on how busy the clerk’s office is and how old the record is. Records from the current year come back faster. Records from more than five years ago can take longer because the clerk has to pull the file from archive storage. Calling the office first to confirm the record exists saves time on both sides. The clerk’s office can also email a scanned copy of a record in many cases, which speeds up the process compared to paper copies sent by mail.
Do sealed or expunged records show up in a search?
No. Sealed records only show the case number and the word “Sealed” in the public search. Expunged records show nothing at all. The clerk’s office can confirm a record was sealed or expunged only with a court order or the written consent of the person named in the record. Police agencies and sheriff’s offices also keep sealed records off the public roster. A sealed record still exists in the court’s files but stays hidden from public search. An expunged record gets destroyed in many cases, with limited access for law enforcement only.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record?
An arrest record shows only that a person was taken into custody. It does not show what happened next. A criminal record shows charges filed, pleas, trial results, sentences, and time served. An arrest without charges still counts as an arrest and stays on the arrest record. An arrest with dropped charges still shows on the arrest record. The criminal record clears the arrest if the case ends with an acquittal or dropped charges. Florida law treats arrest records and criminal records as two separate types of documents under Chapter 119.
Can I check for warrants online in Hamilton County?
No. Warrants do not show on the public search systems in Hamilton County for safety reasons. To check for a warrant, call the sheriff’s office at (386) 792-1002 or the Jasper Police Department at (386) 792-1112. Both agencies run warrant checks over the phone during business hours. For warrant data statewide, the Florida Crime Information Center runs a paid system used mostly by employers and landlords. The fee for a FCIC check is set by Florida statute and varies by requester type. You can also have your attorney run a warrant check on your behalf.
For more details on Florida public records law, visit the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government page at myfloridalegal.com/open-government. The First Amendment Foundation website at floridafaf.org also has sample request letters and contact details for every clerk’s office in the state. Both resources are free to use and updated regularly with the latest court rulings on records access.